Meta Words

Lesson: A to Z Challenge 2017 Post #12

This month I’ve challenged myself to not only do 26 blog posts in 30 days based on One Word Writing Prompts, but also to try to link them together into some kind of cohesive whole. I’d love to hear how you think I’m doing. If you want to start the story from the beginning, check out the Angel post from April 1.

Today’s One Word Writing Prompt:

The definitions are from the Oxford English Dictionary via their on-line access (which I have through my University employer). Feel free to skip down to the story segment if you don’t share my fascination with words, definitions, and shades of meaning.

Lesson

lesson, n.
†1. a. The action of reading. Obs.
b. A public reading; a lecture; also, a course of lectures. Obs.
2. Christian Church. A portion of Scripture or other sacred writing read at divine service.
3. a. A portion of a book or dictated matter, to be studied by the pupil for repetition to the teacher. Hence, something that is or is to be learnt.
†b. transf. Subject of discourse. Obs.
4. a. A continuous portion of teaching given to a pupil or class at one time; one of the portions into which a course of instruction in any subject is divided. to give, take lessons: to give, receive systematic instruction in a specified subject. Hence occas. in text-books, a section of such length as to be suitable to be studied continuously.
b. transf. An occurrence from which instruction may be gained; an instructive example; a rebuke or punishment calculated to prevent a repetition of the offence. to read (one) a lesson: see read v. Phrases 2.
†5. Music.
a. An exercise; a composition serving an educational purpose.
b. A piece to be performed, a performance. Obs.
lesson, v.
1. trans. To give a lesson or lessons to, to instruct, teach; to admonish, rebuke. Const. in, on, and with inf. or subord. clause. Also, To bring into or to (a certain state) by lessoning.
2. To teach (a thing) as a lesson, to inculcate.

Today’s Story Segment:

Lesson

“So this is the bathroom, and it has a lot of plumbing that makes it more convenient than what you are probably used to,” Rosario explained.

Uriel moved closer as Rosario began to explain.

“The sink can be used for small tasks and getting water,” Rosario said. “This tap gives you hot water, and this one gives you cold water. You can turn them on together to get warm water.”

Rosario glanced up at Uriel as he turned off the water, and the angel nodded.

“You have the same taps in the tub,” Rosario said, moving across to demonstrate the same water options in the bath. “If you prefer to have the tub filled with water, pull this and it stops the water from draining. If you want water out of the sprayer at the top, you pull this lever,” Rosario went on, leaning back so he wouldn’t be caught in the spray. “This is detachable, so you can take it down and use it to rinse yourself.” Rosario took it off the holder to demonstrate before putting it back and cutting off the water. “The sprayer is more efficient than the buckets we used to use.”

“It does all look very convenient,” Uriel said. Humans had always been inventive creatures.

“The last thing is the toilet,” Rosario said, moving into the little alcove where it stood. “You lift the lid and either sit, or lift the seat if you’re going to stand while you go,” Rosario said. This all felt very odd, explaining a toilet to what looked like a grown man. “When you’re done, you close the lid and push down on this lever, and the water will clear everything way.”

“Much cleaner than it used to be,” Uriel observed.

“Yes,” Rosario said, stepping back from the toilet. “Sanitation technology has greatly improved in recent decades.”

“You said you were still human more than two millennia ago,” Uriel said softly.

“Yes,” Rosario replied. “I was twenty-six when I met Evander in Rome. I don’t recall what year it was anymore.” It had been a long time ago. He had it all written down somewhere he was sure, but he tried not to dwell on the passage of time. He preferred to immerse himself in the word that he was living in.

“How long before he changed you?” Uriel asked as he set his shirt on the counter and looked down at his cargo shorts.

“Four years,” Rosario replied. “He’s a good and honorable man, and the work he was doing then was something I was passionate about. The work he supports me in doing now is also very important, and I am glad I am here to do it.”

“How does one remove this?” Uriel asked, looking up at Rosario. “I am unfamiliar with this garment.”

“They’re cargo shorts,” Rosario said. “There’s a button and a zipper,” he added, stepping close. “I can show you, if that’s alright?”

“Please,” Uriel said.

Rosario reached out and unfastened the button. He glanced up and Uriel and found the angel focused on his hands. Rosario looked down again and slid the zipper open.

“And this is how you refasten them,” he added, pulling the zipper up again and redoing the button. “Most pants will have fasteners like these.”

“Pants?” Uriel asked.

Rosario could feel his eyebrows climbing upward. Uriel didn’t know what pants were? Well, now that he actually thought about it, no one in Rome would have worn pants until very late in the empire.

“These are shorts, which are pants that only go part way down your legs,” Rosario explained. “I’m wearing pants, which go down to your ankles. They are the preferred lower garment in the modern world, especially for men. Women wear them as well, but also still wear skirts or dresses which more closely resemble the robes you are probably used to.”

“Thank you,” Uriel said.

“I am always happy to explain things to you,” Rosario replied. “There’s a cake of soap in the dish in the shower,” he added, pointing to it. “You shouldn’t need the bottles. They’re for cleaning hair, which you don’t seem to have.” Uriel was bald, but Rosario wondered if the hair would grow over time like a normal human, or if he would always be hairless.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Uriel said again as he looked down and slowly undid the button and zipper on his shorts.

Rosario turned away before Uriel could remove them. He didn’t need to see an angel naked.

“I’ll leave the clothes in your room when they arrive,” Rosario said as he left. “Yell if you need anything and I’ll come back,” he added before closing the door.